Air Filter With Oscillating Frame Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air filters have limitations in maximizing surface area for a given volume, which can lead to reduced efficiency in particulate removal and air quality improvement in applications such as internal combustion engines and ventilation systems.
Innovation Solution
The design features a base with oscillating shape frame elements, such as sinusoidal curves, that increase the surface area of the filter element, combined with a reinforcing device like wire screens to enhance airflow and filtration efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If conventional flat or simple shaped filter elements are used, then the device complexity is low and manufacturing is easy, but the surface area for a given volume is limited, reducing filtration efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The frame elements are designed with oscillating curved shapes (sinusoidal, circular, or elliptical arcs) instead of straight lines. This curvature allows the filter element to achieve a larger surface area within the same volumetric constraints, improving particulate removal efficiency while maintaining a compact form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame elements extend in multiple dimensions with oscillating patterns that create three-dimensional pleats. This dimensional expansion increases the effective filtration surface area without proportionally increasing the overall filter volume, allowing more filtration capacity in a compact space.
2Productivity
If the filter surface area is increased to improve particulate removal, then filtration efficiency improves, but the volume of the filter increases
Solution Approach 1:
By using curved oscillating frame elements, the filter creates efficient space utilization where the pleats fold back on themselves in a compact pattern. This curvature allows maximum surface area expansion within minimum volumetric constraints, improving productivity without excessive volume increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The oscillating frame structure creates nested pleats where the filter material folds back on itself multiple times, similar to nested dolls. This nesting effect maximizes the surface area within a compact volume, allowing high filtration capacity in a space-efficient design.
3Productivity
If oscillating shaped frame elements are used to increase surface area, then filtration efficiency improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The oscillating curved frame elements can be manufactured using standard forming processes by providing appropriate die sets or molds. The sinusoidal, circular, or elliptical arc patterns are consistent geometric forms that can be replicated efficiently, balancing the manufacturing effort with the gains in filtration performance.
Data Source
AI summary
An air filter including a base and a first and second frame element is disclosed. Each frame element is coupled to the base. The frame elements have an oscillating shape having a first portion relatively close to the base and a second portion relatively farther from the base. A filter element generally follows the oscillating shape of the frame elements. An air filter system is also disclosed. The air filter system can include the air filter and an air filter container. The air filter container contains the air filter and directs air through the air filter in a predetermined direction. An air filter is disclosed including a support structure and an oscillating shaped filter element attached to the support structure. The oscillating shape increases the air filter surface area for a given volume.